Mirror
Magazine 
|
||||
Play
that funky music Think Sri Lankan contemporary music… female… and a very few names come to mind – Ashanthi, definitely is one of them. Adding youthful colour, vibrancy and versatility to stages both local and international, she has come a long way in the industry. Being an active element in numerous popular hit singles, duets, commercials, concerts and tours… her success list is endless. And just when you thought she’s done it all, she takes the first step towards launching her solo career. ‘Sandawathuren’, her first solo album promises to be fresh, hip and doesn’t sound like anything we’ve heard before. “The music on this album is doctored to suit every taste. I want it to be like everyone’s favourite t-shirt. It’s got individual flavours and diversity, and it’s got something for everyone,” says Ashanthi, summing up the music on the album. Planning to release the album in the second or third week of April, she hopes to have a launch concert as well. Working on this creation for over almost one-and-a-half years, it has been tuned to perfection and she is ready to give you absolute enjoyment, whatever the mood may be. “My main focus was to create something different from the usual. The production of the album got pushed back a little, mainly because of my tour schedule abroad. But then you can’t produce something good without time and dedication,” she said. ‘Sandawathuren’ essentially sounds unique. As Ashanthi herself describes it, “It’s a futuristic, energetic and youthful approach to the definition of my genre of music.” A fusion of hip hop, R‘n’B, soulful slow songs, 6/8 tunes and pop ballads, this album is definitely something to look forward to. Comprising 12 tracks in total, ten are in Sinhala, while the remaining two will be in English. The composing and creating of the songs is a combined effort of a few extremely talented individuals in the local music industry. Bathiya and Santhush have been the obvious strengths behind this creation. Producing the album, they have played a huge role along with Ashanthi, from the planning and conceptualisation, down to the finished product. The co-producing has been done by Shyama Shri Ranganathan and Sarangan Shri Ranganathan, both highly talented individuals with a vast background knowledge of classical ‘Raaga music.’ Mahesh Denepitiya, one of Sri Lanka’s foremost recording engineers will lend his expertise in the studio, while Eranga Jayawansa will be the special effects and beats engineer for the album. According to Ashanthi, veteran composers in the likes of Mahinda Bandara, Nawarathna Gamage and Rohana Weerasinghe have created melodies and tracks for the album, obviously bringing in a professionally classic flavour to the album, while Shyama and Sarangan, Bathiya and Ashanthi herself have created melodies and tracks to generate the ethnic R‘n’B/hip hop flavour to cater to the energetic and youthful audience, who always will be a vital target market for futuristic music such as this. “These individuals belonging to their different musical backgrounds have been specifically hand picked from the ‘cream of the crop,’ so that each song will have an individually unique approach. When one person handles every component of a song, it becomes that one person’s creation. Instead, I wanted diversity and the very best of everyone, and that’s what ‘Sandawathuren’ has,” says Ashanthi explaining why she adopted this approach. Nilar Cassim, Vasantha Dukkgannarala and Hemasiri Halpita are the creators of lyrics of the Sinhalese songs in the album, while Ashanthi has handled the two English songs. Artistes who will feature on the album are Randhir Witana (rap vocals) and Dave Collins from USA (jazz saxophone) Mahesh Denipitiya (keyboards and Spanish guitar) Jananath Warakagoda (ethnic percussion and drums) Ruwan Weerasekera (violin) and Nuwan (flute). Another major success for Ashanthi is getting signed up with Sony Music. Probably the first and only Sri Lankan female artiste to get involved with an international record label, she feels that this will give her many opportunities beyond our shores as well. “Once you get signed up with a record label that is so prestigious internationally, it’s a lot easier to gain access into the Asian and Indian markets.” The ‘Oba Magemai’, album done by Ranidu and herself, making them the youngest duo and the second in the island to be signed up with Sony Music in 2003, was another milestone in her career. “I’ve come a long way since the making of that album. It’s been a big learning process for me, and Bathiya and Santhush have been the driving force behind it all,” she said. Teaching her everything there is to know in the music industry, and having almost all the answers to problems that crop up, she’s grateful to the duo – limitlessly. “And launching my solo career does not mean I’m breaking away from them,” she said with a smile. Continuing to perform with them, her launch concert, a few solo gigs hopefully, and maybe a few tours are on the cards for Ashanthi in the recent future. “I have already performed a few songs off this album such as “Aale”, at concerts in Kandy, Galle, Hikkaduwa and Colombo, with Bathiya and Santhush. Along with the album Ashanthi will also be launching her website www.ashanthi.com in April. Information and downloads otherwise inaccessible will be available to fans from the site. “We just have to shoot the video for the title track “Sandawathuren”, but everything else is done. This single is already out on radio, and is getting quite a good response, since it’s really something different,’ said Ashanthi. While the main sponsor for the album is Rexona Deodorant, it will be released under Sony Music and M Entertainment labels. So what drives her? “Passion for making music,” she says simply. “And of course my parents have been a huge strength to me, and have been supportive all the way. Not letting popularity and all those other evils that come with show business get to you, is another vital element to success. Being down-to-earth and keeping yourself in check is the key. Making music is something fulfilling for me, and the response I get from my audience inspires me to make more music.” |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
